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Posts Tagged ‘black cherry’

89+/90 Points, Gord Stimmell
This new red is dapper, with black cherry, blackberry and an intriguing nose of graphite; the flavours show black plums, cedar, black cherry and a finish of refined cassis. A wonderful Ontario value red.

“The 2008 Pinot Noir Estate is more deeply colored with a seductive perfume of smoke, rose petal, incense, terroir notes, black cherry and black raspberry. Mouth-filling, intense, already complex, and lengthy, it will evolve for another 2-3 years and offer a drinking window extending from 2013 to 2023.

Veteran vigneron Patricia (Patty) Green was the original winemaker at Torii Mor before purchasing the old Autumn Wind Winery in 2000 along with partner Jim Anderson and renaming it Patricia Green Cellars. Current production stands at 10,000 cases with distribution in 20 states. All of the Patricia Green wines are fermented naturally, see about one-third new oak, and only Cadus barrels are used in the cellar. The Patricia Green 2008 Pinot Noirs range from outstanding to sublime in quality.”

Wine Advocate # 191
Oct 2010

THE STORY:Patricia Green Cellars is located in the Ribbon Ridge district of Yamhill County on the 52 acre estate purchased in 2000 by Patty Green and Jim Anderson. The winery, and thus the two friends, are noted for producing a tremendously broad selection of Pinot Noirs from far flung vineyards representing some of the better sites in the Ribbon Ridge, Dundee Hills, Chehalem Mountains, and the Eola Hills growing regions.

They produce Pinot Noirs that show the distinctions of the sites that they work with. All of the vineyards (whether estate or sourced) are extremely well-tended sites that seek to grow the best fruit possible through rigorous attention to detail on every single vine. To ensure that our sites truly show the characteristics of the soil, micro-climate and clonal material none of them use irrigation.

Oregon has shown itself to be one of the few truly great wine growing regions in the world. Patty strives to work within small sub-sections of this vast growing region to find areas particularly suited to growing great fruit. The wines are made in a very traditional fashion that emphasizes the quality of the raw materials with which we begin, the experience we have with making wine and the intuitive decisions we make during each harvest to produce top quality wine.

With only 10,000 cases in total production, Patricia Green’s wines are some of the most boutique in Oregon. Only three wines were made from their estate fruit in 2008, with a tiny production for all three.

“The 2007 Quinta Sardonia is made up of 51% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), 29% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec aged for 18 months in French oak. Purple-colored, it delivers an already complex perfume of Asian spices, violets, incense, espresso, black cherry, and blackberry. upple-textured, sweetly-fruited, impeccably balanced, and structured enough to evolve for another 3-4 years, it will offer a drinking window extending from 2013 to 2027. It is already being proclaimed as Spain’s next cult wine.”

– Wine Advocate 188 April 2010

The estate’s full name is Vinas de la Vega del Duero but all you need to remember is Quinta Sardonia. Located in Sardon del Duero, just outside the Ribera del Duero demarcation line but close enough for inclusion in this report, Quinta Sardonia is a biodynamic project from Peter Sisseck (of Pingus fame) and Jerome Bougnaud. The estate has about 37 acres under vine planted in 2000. The wine is typically composed of a blend of roughly 50% Tempranillo, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec with aging for 18 months in French oak. It is already being proclaimed by some as Spain’s next cult wine.

The Story:

Like much of viticultural Spain, Sardon del Duero has a long history of winemaking. As far back as 2,000 years ago, there is strong evidence of grape growing and winemaking by the Romans. Located just outside of the more famous region of Ribera del Duero, the wines of Sardon del Duero are also based around Tinto Fino and traditional Bordeaux varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.

Created in 2002, Quinta Sardonia is a joint project between star winemaker Peter Sisseck of Pingus (Ribera del Duero) and Jerome Bougnaud. Located just 400 meters from the Duero river, the property lies at 700-800 meters above sea level. Cultivated in biodynamics since the beginning, the property is cultivated without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers.
Sardon del Duero does not benefit from the constantcy of climate in the Southern part of the country and experiences dramatic shifts in temperatures and climatic conditions throughout the year. The winters are quite cold, with temperatures as low as -18 degrees Celsius, and the summers are hot and very dry, with lower than average rainfall than the rest of Spain.

Altitude is between 750 and 950 meters and the soil is made up of clay alternated in many parts by sheets of limestone and harder chalk. The vineyards are plowed under and compost (which is made at the property) is used between the rows once a year. Harvest is always carried out by hand and there is a very aggressive triage at the winery before crush. Fermentation is in stainless steel tanks of 10,000 liters which are specifically made for the estate and are very low and wide. Ageing is in new French oak for at least 18 months. Production is still quite low and the first vintage was only 6,000 bottles.

Peter Sisseck has brought some serious fame to the region of Ribera del Duero. His other winery Pingus, is one of the most highly sought after wines in the world and the prices match accordingly: a bottle of Pingus can go for upwards of $1000. To be able to get a wine from Peter at this reasonable price is a real value, so don’t miss your chance to own the newest cult wine from Spain!

Each week I like to choose a new wine to introduce to our fans. These wines vary by region, by varietal and even by price. I don’t think cost and value are necessarily related. So I like to focus on wines I have experienced on my travels and I think our fans will enjoy trying. salut!

McLaren Vale, Australia

90 Points — Wine Advocate

PRESS:

…The wine is a blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 26% Shiraz, and 17% Grenache aged for 15 months in seasoned French oak. Dark ruby in color, it delivers an enticing bouquet of floral notes, spice box, black cherry, and blueberry. Full-bodied, ripe, and sweetly-fruited on the palate, it manages to retain a sense of elegance. This lengthy blend has enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years but there is no reason to delay your gratification. It is also an excellent value.

Each week I like to choose a new wine to introduce to our fans. These wines vary by region, by varietal and even by price. I don’t think cost and value are necessarily related. So I like to focus on wines I have experienced on my travels and I think our fans will enjoy trying. salut!

Mendoza, Argentina

90 Points — Wine Advocate

The 2008 Cocina Blend composed of 60% Malbec, 20% Bonarda, and 20% Syrah aged for 12 months in 20% new French and American oak before bottling without fining and filtration (as are all of these red wines). Purple-colored, it has an enticing bouquet of cinnamon, Dentyne gum, cigar box, violets, black cherry, and blueberry. Medium-bodied, round and sweetly-fruited on the palate, it has plenty of savory spice notes, enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years, and a lengthy, pure finish. Drink it from 2010 to 2016.